Federal health officials are watching a growing number of cases involving a diarrhea-causing parasite that has infected over 140 individuals across 17 states. None of the 145 people had traveled internationally in the two weeks before they felt ill. Furthermore, the people who fell ill did so between May 1 and June 6, 2026.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes a gastrointestinal illness, Cyclosporiasis. The parasite “infects the small intestine, typically causing watery diarrhea and frequent, sometimes ‘explosive’ bowel movements,” according to the CDC.
Furthermore, of those infected, 20 cases involved hospitalizations. Thankfully, there have been no deaths. Sick individuals ranged in age from 5 to 86 years old, with a median age of 42. Additionally, about 61% of domestic cases were female. The median illness onset date was May 13, 2026.
The state with the highest number of cases is New York, with Texas falling close behind. Then it would be Illinois. Also included in the list are Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alaska, Colorado, Wisconsin, Ohio, and a few others.
Local, state, and federal authorities, along with the help of the US Food and Drug Administration and the CDC, are actively investigating several clusters of cases across multiple states. However, at this time, officials have not yet identified a confirmed food source linked to the current outbreak.
Main symptoms and signs of cyclosporiasis are:
- Watery diarrhea. This is the most common symptom.
- Nausea.
- Cramping.
- Loss of appetite.
- Bloating.
- Weight Loss.
- Increased gas.
Some of the less common symptoms include headaches, low-grade fever, body aches, and vomiting. Furthermore, it is possible to recover without treatment. However, symptoms can last for weeks or even months if left untreated. Typically, the annual season of cyclosporiasis cases runs from May to August.
That being said, people are encouraged to reach out to a healthcare provider if they experience any of these symptoms so officials can detect and contain the outbreak sooner.
By Sheena
Sources:
News 4 Jax: CDC tracks 145 cases of intestinal illness caused by tiny parasite across 17 states, including Florida and Georgia
Fox32 Chicago: ‘Explosive’ diarrhea parasite hits Illinois as CDC searches for source
Fox Weather: More than 140 Americans in over a dozen states sickened by nasty diarrhea-causing parasite as CDC investigates
Image by Holly Lay Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons
